A teacher strike brought classes to a stand still throughout West Virginia Wednesday – Jesse Russell has more:

A 3.5 percent pay raise was not enough for teachers in West Virginia – the state ranks 47th in the nation for teacher salaries. As a result of the raise, approved by lawmakers last week, teachers in at least 14 counties walked off the job and picketed. The West Virginia Education Association issued a statement saying that the walkout was necessary because the state can’t retain and recruit qualified teachers when the average pay is less than $42,000 per year. The office of Governor Joe Manchin said the walkout would not result in a reopening of discussions concerning teachers pay and that the 3.5 percent raise is final.